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 "We're So Bored!" Respond to NT by Marti Ronemus

Late Winter carries a certain hysteria with it. It's a combination of desperation, boredom, cabin fever and yearning. This hysteria has resulted in, at one extreme end of the spectrum, murder, mayhem, suicide, heavy drinking. At the other end of the spectrum we get strange, strangely desperate acts of creativity.

Such as: in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, as part of their Winter festival there's the (are you ready?) International Hair Freezing Contest. Yup, you read that right. People hop into the local hot spring to get all wet, then mold and shape their hair (and beards) into bizarre shapes as it freezes. Pictures are taken, judging occurs and prizes are awarded. Want to enter? Get tips from winners? See pictures of winners? takhinihotpools.com/hair_freezing is where to go.

For those of us who find our excitement in bridge, here are some questions about how to respond to Pard's No-trump opener.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 J 9 8 7
 8 5 4
 K Q 7 3
 8 5
 
Q: 1 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: Pass: We've only got 6 pts, and even opposite 17, that's not enough to go anywhere. We can't even invite. Let's just sit quietly while our hair freezes.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 J 9 8 7
 A 5 4
 K Q 7 3
 8 5
 
Q: 2 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: We have the points for game, but with our doubleton, let's check first to see if we've got a golden fit in a major. We use Stayman. If Pard replies 2 d-d-denying a major, we'll go to 3 No-trump on our next bid.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 J 9 8 7
 A 5 4
 K Q 7
 8 5 3
 
Q: 3 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 3 No-trump: What a difference a flat hand makes! Why not use Stayman? Simple, but deeply conceptual so make sure your head is thawed and pay attention. The reason for playing a hand in a SUIT as opposed to NO-TRUMP is so we can RUFF losers in dummy. If we have no shortness, we have no ability to trump losers. We also don't have a long suit to set up. Also, since he opened No-trump, Pard has a flat hand also. No shortness, no Stayman. Read one more time.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 9 8 7 6
 A 5 4
 K Q 7
 8 5 3
 
Q: 4 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2 No-trump: Do we have game? We're not sure, so we're going to invite. If Pard has something extra, or is at the top of his bid, he'll take us to game. Otherwise, he'll pass. It's his problem now.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 9 8
 A 9 8 7 5 4 3
 7 3 2
 8
 
Q: 5 - South:
SouthWestNorthEast
--1 No-trumpPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: This is a transfer to Hearts, and when Pard bids them, we'll just pass. If you don't yet play transfers, you'll bid 2 and Pard will know to Pass.

Now that we're thawed out, let's go play a hand.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results:   out of    Average: 

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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